Wiper broke windscreen

Simon · 11th December 2002, 02:03

Does anyone believe this?

I took my car to the service centre 'cause the wpiers were squeaking annoyingly.When I pick it up the wipers still squeak but there is now a crack in the windscreen that wasn't there before. The service centre manager tells me, with a straight face, that the automatic wiper pressure adjuster thingy that is standard on the drivers side wiper has become faulty and put too much pressure on the wiper and broken the windscreen. Sounds like bollocks to me.

He then quoted me arounf 600USD to replace the pressure thingy, and the whole wiper rack, does that sound right?

Simon

JP · 11th December 2002, 02:32

Other side off the world ,
same outcome ;
For a job well done , try .......yourself , or ,
finding the good places goes on par with finding that good car.

On a other note , is it a crack , or a scratch ?
I'am assuming , scratch , made by your wiper (with tired rubber) and then , someone regulated more ,
rather than less pressure.

Simon · 11th December 2002, 02:37

JP

It's a crack, I don't believe the wiper presure could crack the windscreen!

I've changed service dealers, but I only have 2 chooices so I hope this one is better.

By my calculations it's 2am in Belgium, been out have we?

Simon

JP · 11th December 2002, 02:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Simon
JP
2am in Belgium, been out have we?

Simon

I only wish ,
it's not only 2 am , it's winter , -10°c ,
and some fog , freesing on top !
We are not really used to all that together ,
so nobody on the go really !!

Just relaxing , and then , whell you know ,
it suddenly is , nearly 3 am !!!

Gues I'll pay the bill in the morning .

jrturbo · 11th December 2002, 12:57

Hi there

I beleive its virtually imposible for the wiper pressure motor to damage the screen , as the load is spread over the length of the wiper blade, in addition the wiper arm is still sprung, not to mention that wiper arm and blade are also subjet to flexing.

1) where is the crack on the windscreen ?

2) is it somwhere in the area that is swept by the drivers side wiper blade ?

3) check the windscreen to see if there is any sign of impact damage some where along the fracture of windscreen.

I would check your car insurance cover, as in many cases it cover accidental damage to the screen and therefore the repair might not cost you anything, but never the less the explanation given to you by the dealer is somewhat suspect in my view.

regarding your wipers squeaking, you will need new wiper blade inserts or possibly new complete blades and check the angle of atack of the wiper blade, in many cases the wiper arm or the blade are silghtly twisted and the rubber blade doesnt bend over in the direction causing it squeak.

Regards

Joe Rubido

Simon · 11th December 2002, 22:07

The crack started right down by the wiper 'axle' assembly. It looks to me like they were trying to lever the wiper off and put pressure right on the edge of the glass. From there it has spread right accorss the windscreen.

The timing is also the issue. Take to garage with no crack, pick up with 4 inch long crack! These guys have to be lying to me.

Cheers

BARRIE · 14th December 2002, 23:31

I broke my windshield while trying to change the wiper inserts and I'll wager that your repair shop did it the same way !

While having the wiper arms in the full "up" position, and after removing the wiper blades, the arms snapped back down with such force that the arms put a huge crack in the windshield !

I couldn't believe it.... I'd only turned away for a second !

Now I put a large towel or other protection on the windshield BEFORE working on the wipers !

An expensive mistake that your repair shop was probably too embarassed to own up to !

mikek · 16th December 2002, 20:50

After watching a winscreen guy change the screen in my M5 I am certain that it is impossible for the wiper to even crack the screen. This guy used his feet on the screen and even levered the edges of the screen without really cracking it.

BARRIE · 16th December 2002, 21:15

I assure you, it is possible..... because I did it ! The end of the wiper arm has that curved hook on it and the spring tension is such that it snapped back on the glass with such force that it put a large crack in the glass !

You can hit the glass with a "wide " force and do nothing but concentrate the force in a small area and you will break the glass !

Ever see those small screwdriver like devices they use to get people out of car wrecks ? They have a small pointed end and you only have to tap the glass with them and they will shatter !

Simon · 17th December 2002, 01:46

Nevermind, the insurance is coughing up. Luckily my policy has free glass cover.

Cheers all